1. Warm Up
In a T-chart, list all the forms of mass media that you can think of in one of the sections and title it Mass Media: Today. Then, rank them in order of how influential you believe they are by numbering each. Number 1 should be the most influential.
Now, think back 50 years. What forms of mass media didn’t exist then? Write a separate list under the other section and call it Mass Media: 50 Years Ago to reflect the mass media that existed during this time in history. Rank them in order of how influential you believe they were 50 years ago.

2. Friday, October 6, 2017
Objective: Students will be able to analyze the current media environment in the United States and evaluate ways the news is delivered.
Importance: Many Americans are not informed enough and also misinformed. Being aware of how the media operates will help you become a better consumer of news, facts, and perspectives. This will also help you become a better voter.

3. . . . were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. —Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Colonel Edward Carrington, January 16, 1787

4. The Mass Media
Five major elements of the mass media are especially significant in American politics today: television, the Internet, newspapers, radio, and magazines
The media is not a part of government in the United States
Newspapers cover stories in greater depth than television does, and many are local papers that focus on events closer to home than most Internet news sources
Television replaced newspapers as the principal source of political information for a majority of Americans in the early 1960s

5. Media in America
Main roles: to inform the public and to set political agendas to focus on specific issues
Major Television Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC
Major Newspapers: The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today
Major Magazines: Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report

6. Throughout history, the press has had tremendous power to influence the public. What characteristics of "yellow journalism" can still be seen in some publications today?

7. Signs of Media Bias Dramatic headlines Controversial images
Fiery editorials (shows hosted by Sean Hannity, Rachel Maddow)
Obsession over certain stories (MSNBC’s coverage of the Iraq War, Fox and Benghazi/Hillary Clinton’s s)
Exaggerated stories (Example: Fox’s “War on Christmas”)
Few real facts and little explanations

8. Avoiding Bias Use non-biased Media
National Public Radio (NPR)
News programming on PBS
BBC News
Reuters news service
Visit websites of fact-checkers (politifact, factcheck.org)

9. The media’s role in U.S. politics is affected by the behaviors and beliefs of Americans. What does this Gallup Poll indicate about Americans’ attention to national political news?

10. Changes in American Media
Fairness Doctrine eliminated in 1987
News broadcasts had to spend some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest
Opposing views needed to be presented on any of the issues
Critics saw this as a violation of Free Speech

11. Changes in American Media
Cable News
In 1980, Ted Turner launches the Cable News Network (CNN) as the first TV station to cover the news 24 hours a day
CNN’s ratings and viewership surged in 1995 due to their wall to wall coverage of the trial of O.J. Simpson
The trial’s ratings were seen as a sign of the potential financial success of cable news
In 1996, MSNBC and FOX News Channel are launched

12. Changes in American Media
Cable News
24 hour news cycle is difficult to fill
This results in sensationalized programming
MSNBC: liberal point of view
Fox News: conservative point of view
CNN: tries to be neutral, has fewer opinionated programming and more hard news

13. Use of mobile devices is a growing trend for teens today
Use of mobile devices is a growing trend for teens today. Which type of media access is used by the largest percentage of teens?

14. Changes in American Media
Satirical/Comedic News Shows
The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Last Week Tonight, Real Time with Bill Maher
Conservative Talk Radio
Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh
Internet blogs and news sites (Drudge Report, Breitbart, Huffington Post, Salon)
Social media: made it easier to share news with others

15. The Internet, and social media sites in particular, are a growing source of political information for Americans. How do you predict what this chart might look in 2020?

16. American Media Habits
More Americans tend to be getting their news from sources with a bias they agree with (called the echo camber effect)
Media and political experts fear that Americans will become less tolerant of the opinions of others as a result of this
Less people watch the 5:30 news on ABC, CBS, or NBC, which is often unbiased and just reports the facts
Popular news programming is either provocative or entertaining

17. American Media Habits
Many news programs have commentators on them regularly
Only CNN differentiates between reporters, analysts, and commentators
Unlike newspapers, television channels do not need to label their segments as news or opinion
Internet news has become a popular source due to its convenience

18. Media Critical Writing
What rules should the news media have to follow when it comes to covering government and politics? Explain why such rules should be applied. Your response needs to be at least ½ page in length

19. Videos
Daily Show: polarized media
CNN Reliable Sources: Anti-journalism voices

20. Videos
Lies are the New Truth (Bill Maher):
Mighty Morphin’ Position Changers: clips/faezep/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-mighty-morphin- position-changers

21.
Jake Tapper on Late Night with Seth Meyers
Trump Attacks the Press and Fake News: A Closer Look